N. Purification

“Partially for purposes of maintaining proper health conditions, and partially for teaching proper personal conduct, but primarily for promoting the idea of holiness, the Laws of Moses designate certain types of ceremonial uncleanness.  A certain amount of overlapping must take place at this point.  Regulations pertaining primarily to ceremonial purification for uncleanness will be listed here, while other related regulations will be presented in other sections.”

1. After Childbirth

“This may be associated with the sin of Eve and its consequence of pain for all women giving birth.  Or it may be that in order to bring a new child into the human family without sin, the ‘vessel’ through which it comes must itself be made clean.  Certainly there is no hint that either the child, or even the act which brought about the birth, is itself unclean.”

UNCLEANNESS AFTER CHILDBIRTH   Leviticus 12:1-5

OFFERING FOR ATONEMENT   Leviticus 12:6-8

2. For Leprosy

“Generically refered to any number of skin diseases, molds, or defects in people, garments, or even houses.  While specific diagnosis and treatment is regulated in the health section, the various means of purifying the ceremonial uncleanness are now given.”

WEEK OF CLEANSING   Leviticus 14:1-9

OFFERINGS FOR ATONEMENT   Leviticus 14:10-20

OFFERINGS IF POOR   Leviticus 14:21-32

3. For Discharges

“Bodily discharges and emissions are set forth as forms of uncleanness, even if they issue involuntarily.  They may or may not have a direct relation to moral impurity, though many diseases are in fact the result of sin.  Of more importance is any perceived uncleanness and the need for purity of the body as well as of the soul.”

FOR MAN’S DISCHARGE   Leviticus 15:13-15

FOR WOMAN’S DISCHARGE   Leviticus 15:28-30

4. Concerning Death

“Death has almost universally been associated with sin, so it is no surprise to find regulations defining uncleanness and requirements for sacrifices when one has come into contact with the dead.  Death must not be permitted to contaminate worship of a living God who has given life to all living things.”

CONTACT WITH DEAD BODY   Numbers 19:11-13

(REGARDING THE PASSOVER)   Numbers 9:10

CONTACT WITH ENVIRONMENT   Numbers 19:14-19

CLEANSING MANDATORY   Numbers 19:20-22

ASHES AND WATER FOR IMPURITY   Numbers 19:1-10

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.